Family Ties: Jesse and Jake DeRousse Follow in Their Dad’s Footsteps

As young boys growing up in Hillsboro, Missouri, they recall being dazzled by their dad’s skill in operating a high lift and backhoe for his small excavating company.

“When I was 4 years old, I couldn't even reach the pedals of the high lift, but I’d track it forward and backward for hours with my dad,” remembers Jesse, who is two years older than his brother. “I just fell in love with running equipment.”

Following the economic downturn of the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mike decided to close his business and start working as a union operator. That led him to Castle, where he worked until retiring in 2018.

As fate would have it, both sons also ended up signing on with Castle. ”I got called out of the union hall to come here seven years ago,” says Jake. “A few months later, my brother joined me.”

Jake and Jesse worked on a series of Castle jobs as heavy equipment operators before taking on greater levels of responsibility and running crews as foremen.

Solar Siblings

In the last few years, this dynamic duo has worked together on solar projects across the U.S., including jobs in Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia, Colorado, Ohio and Illinois.

“Many of these projects are vast, so you really get a chance to see what the equipment can do and how it holds up,” says Jake, who’s currently serving as general foreman at the Double Black Diamond solar farm near Springfield, Illinois, the largest U.S. solar project east of the Mississippi River. Meanwhile, Jesse is general foreman at the Hickory Solar Park project in Jerseyville Illinois.

Despite working on separate projects, Jesse and Jake continue to enjoy the competitive spirit that characterizes their working relationship. “My brother and I have always been very competitive with each other, and I think that competitive drive makes each of us better,” says Jesse.

The brothers also remain close buddies. “Jesse is my best friend and he always will be,” says Jake. “I won the big brother lottery for sure. He's awesome.”

Both men also share their dad’s love for working at Castle. “I've worked for many companies, and this one's by far the best in my opinion,” says Jesse. “From top to bottom, everybody wants to see everybody else succeed. I think that’s what drives Castle to greatness.”

When they’re not working at a jobsite, Jesse and Jake call Hillsboro home. Jesse’s family includes wife Kaylin; two sons: Brycen (11) and Karson (10); and a daughter: Kendall (5). And Jake’s family includes wife Whitney; two daughters: Rhylie (15) and Emersyn (5); and a son:  Brayden (10).

The families hang out together often, and the brothers can be counted on to bring their good-natured rivalry to every activity. “We go out on family fishing trips to have fun, but Jake and I are always competing against each other no matter what,” admits Jesse.